CGM readings

#1

So whilst on holiday last week I bought a CGM as it was much cheaper than in the UK. I’ve been curious about my blood glucose levels for a while especially since getting dizzy spells whilst exercising. I thought they might be due to dips. They definitely aren’t, my glucose levels are incredibly stable.

Except for this morning when I had a hot bath. Haven’t eaten yet and only had a creamy coffee two hours ago.

Before the bath 6.7, after getting out 8.1. It’s falling again quite quickly but took me by surprise. Maybe my body interpreted the sudden heat and activated fight or flight?

Just checked it against my keto mojo and results are similar.

Anyone else has strange readings?

(Bob M) #2

You seem to have ruled out temperature to the sensor as a cause. I’ve heard that both hot and cold baths can change blood sugar, but when I had my CGMs over the past, I’ve never taken a bath.

Have you tried taking a small amount of carbs while exercising? I listened to a podcast where they said that performance improved for keto folks when they took small amount of carbs in. They thought it was due to hypoglycemia (lower blood sugar) though.

Like you, I never saw my blood sugar go down while exercising; for me, it always went up. But I’m only exercising for short time periods, less than 60 minutes. Maybe exercising longer would lead to lower blood sugar?

#3

Lots of things make our glucose levels fluctuate, fluctuations are ignoreable, it’s the trend that matters. If you stub your toe, you’ll notice it in your levels.

#4

As I’m still under the weather with this bug the only exercise I’ve done with the CGM on a 45 min weightlifting class and 2-3 hour uphill walking on a treadmill. Very, very little movement in my readings, I’m assuming this is a good sign.

On Saturday I’ll be doing strenuous classes , that’ll be interesting to see what happens. I might have some carbs prior to the classes, usually do it fasted.

(Bob M) #5

The other thing to try is more salt. I’d actually try that first, if your blood sugar isn’t dropping. Put some salt under your tongue before the exercise, or drink something like LMNT.

My guess is that salt/electrolytes are more of the issue than carbs, but I could be wrong.

#6

That’s a good call, something I’ve been meaning to do x